Major city · Iran
Kandovanکندوان
Half a day is enough to see the cliff village and walk the main lane; most visitors come from Tabriz as a day trip. One night at the rocky hotel if you want the quiet after the buses leave.
Kandovan is a living village carved into volcanic tuff, often compared to Cappadocia but still inhabited. The main attraction is the cliff dwellings themselves, a short walk from the car park. You can see the whole place in two to three hours, then eat and head back to Tabriz or Osku.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IRR
- Best months
- April–June, September–October
- avoid July–August (hot), December–February (cold, some paths icy)
- Airport
- TBZ
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Security advice in this region can change within a dayCheck your own government travel advice for Iran before a…
- Middle East ↗Security advice in this region can change within a day; re-read your government's page before departure and again before any border or regional flight.
- Middle East ↗Public drunkenness, public displays of affection and offensive gestures or online posts can lead to arrest in the Gulf states and Iran; dress modestly outside beaches and hotels.
- Iran ↗Check your own government travel advice for Iran before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Iran ↗Entry rules, visa type and nationality restrictions differ sharply by passport and change quickly.
- Iran ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Iran before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kandovan110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kandovan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Foreign cards and ATMs do not work in Iran: see Insurance & payments above.Iran-wide
- SafetyKandovan is a safe rural village.
- Emergency numbers110 police · 115 ambulance · 125 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTBZ Tabriz International Airport (About 1 hour 15 minutes by car to Kandovan).
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealKebab mealIRR 200,000–500,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Tabriz–Kandovan one waycheckIRR 1,000,000–1,500,000
- Budget bedHostel bed in Osku or Tabriz, a night, per personIRR 500,000
- Mid-range bedLaleh Kandovan Hotel double room, a night, per roomIRR 5,000,000
- High-end bedLaleh Kandovan Hotel double room, a night, per roomIRR 8,000,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget IRR 1,500,000 · Mid IRR 3,000,000 · High IRR 6,000,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TBZ Tabriz International Airport (About 1 hour 15 minutes by car to Kandovan)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest Apr (11 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kandovan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
8 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
8 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is walkable on foot. A car or taxi is needed to reach Kandovan from Osku or Tabriz.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tabriz
goDoor to door: 1 hour
Car or taxi, about 1 hour
Combine Kandovan with Tabriz bazaar and Blue Mosque.
Osku
goDoor to door: 20 minutes
Car or taxi, about 20 minutes
Small town with a few shops and eateries.
Urmia
cautionDoor to door: 2.5–3 hours
Car via Tabriz, about 2 hours 30 minutes
Long day trip; better as an overnight from Tabriz.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kandovan village
Only one hotel (Laleh Kandovan) inside the village; otherwise stay in Osku or Tabriz.
Osku
18 km (11 mi) away, small town with basic guesthouses; cheaper than Kandovan.11 mi (18 km) away, small town with basic guesthouses; cheaper than Kandovan.
Tabriz
Best choice for more accommodation and dining options; 1 hour drive.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- IRR 1,500,000–3,000,000 (about $10–20) excl. bed
- Mid
- IRR 3,000,000–6,000,000 (about $20–40) excl. bed
- High
- IRR 6,000,000+ (about $40+) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Laleh Kandovan Hotel double room1 × 1 night × IRR 5,000,000 | IRR 5,000,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × IRR 3,000,000 | IRR 6,000,000 |
| Taxi Tabriz–Kandovan return1 × IRR 2,000,000 · check | IRR 2,000,000 |
| Meal at village restaurant2 × IRR 300,000 | IRR 600,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | IRR 1,360,000 |
| Trip total≈ IRR 7,480,000 per person per day, bed included | IRR 14,960,000 |
check
2026 estimate in Iranian rials; flights and visa excluded. Prices spoken in tomans (1 toman = 10 rials).
Prices of common things
| Tea at a village shop | IRR 50,000–100,000 |
| Kebab meal | IRR 200,000–500,000 |
| Taxi Tabriz–Kandovan one waycheck | IRR 1,000,000–1,500,000 |
| Bottle of water | IRR 15,000–30,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATMs in Kandovan; bring enough cash (Iranian rials).
- The rocky hotel books out in spring and autumn; reserve ahead.
- Some paths are uneven and can be slippery after rain.
- Check your own government travel advice for Iran before planning.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 115
- Fire
- 125
Pocket card
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Kandovanکندوان
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
به این آدرس لطفاًTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Ambulance115
- Fire125
Embassy
Most embassies are in Tehran. The nearest consulate for many nationalities is in Tabriz (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Tabriz–Kandovan: about IRR 1,000,000–1,500,000, about 1 hour (check)
- Taxi Osku–Kandovan: about IRR 300,000–500,000, about 20 minutes (check)
Say or show
- سلام — Hello (salam)
- مرسی — Thank you (mersi)
- چنده؟ — How much? (chande?)
- نمیفهمم — I don't understand (nemifahmam)
- دستشویی کجاست؟ — Where is the toilet? (dastshooi kojast?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kandovan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: April–June, September–October · avoid July–August (hot), December–February (cold, some paths icy)
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place page with verified opening hours for the rocky hotel and any local guides.
- Eat page for Melal Restaurant and other village eateries.
- Transport page: taxi from Tabriz, bus to Osku.
Sources
Ask about Kandovan
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